D3D home page

Display 3-Dimensional (D3D)

description

Developed 1997-2001, Display 3-Dimensional (D3D) was part of the WFO-Advanced system development aimed at providing an advanced operational workstation to operational forecasters. It allows users to view model output and real-time meteorological data in a three-dimensional interactive display.

One of the values of 3D for forecasting was that it was a rapid method to assimilate a large amount of model output and analysis data, and understand how the features vary with height.

The core visualization software of D3D is Vis5D from the University of Wisconsin.

D3D was designed to look and feel like D2D the AWIPS workstation for the NWS Forecast Office.

publications

Published articles about D3D

On 14-17 January 2002 There was joint IIPS and AWIPS symposium session at the 2002 Annual AMS Meeting in Orlando, FL to discuss the operational use of D3D in the NWS Forecast Office.

Visualization: D3D Overview and Operational Use.

Paper J5.1 D3D: Overview, Update, and Future Plans (pdf). Ed Szoke, FSL
Paper J5.2 Applying D3D in an Operational Environment (pdf). Gray, Maine WFO
Paper J5.3 Numerical Model Visualization Using the FSL D3D: A Paradigm Shift for Operational Forecasters. Dodge City, Kansas WFO
Paper J5.4 The Use of D3D When Examining Tropical Cyclones. Tallahassee, Florida WFO
Paper J5.5 Operational Applications of Three Dimensional Air Parcel Trajectories Using AWIPS D3D (pdf). Boulder, Colorado WFO
Paper J5.6 Technical Considerations for the Installation and Use of D3D in an AWIPS Environment (pdf). Phil McDonald, FSL
Education and Training - An AWIPS Enhancer
Paper J8.8 Better Understanding of QG Theory Through the Use of D3D. Irv Watson et al. from Tallahassee, Florida WFO

D3D papers from the 19th Conference on IIPS at the AMS Annual Meeting, 9-13 February 2003, Long Beach, California. See this AMS website for links to the papers below (for those not directly available below). AMS Posters

Paper P1.1 The synoptic environment of the 11 April 2001 Central Plains tornado outbreak viewed in three dimensions, Dan Nietfeld, WFO Omaha
Paper P1.10 D3D Update: Is it being used? (pdf). Ed Szoke, H. Grote, P. McCaslin, and P. McDonald, FSL
The poster(s) (2 panels, the 2nd with more examples of D3D use) are in a powerpoint form, and can be downloaded from Main panel and Panel 2. and CYS Workshop talk.

Paper 12.8 Integrating D3D into the National Weather Service science and training activities, Elizabeth M. Page, NOAA/COMET/NWS, Boulder, CO, and D. Nietfeld, NOAA/NWS
Paper 15.2 3-dimensional animated displays for sifting out medium range weather events, Jordan C. Alpert, NOAA/NWS/NCEP.

presentations

Slides from presentations given on D3D.

software

D3D is NO LONGER available.
Note: D3D read netCDF data files from the NWS AWIPS database, only.

on-line documentation

D3D User's Guide (pdf) Version 4.1 to be used with D3D Version 1.1, modified 19 Sept 2001.
D3D Installation Guide (pdf)
D3D Installation README

FAQ -- D3D frequently asked questions.

users

A visual image show the of field deployment locations and status of D3D users.

evaluation

Two D3D evaluation exercises were held.
RT99 -- Real-time and case data exercise of D3D Oct-Dec 1999
RT98 -- Real-time exercise of D3D Jul-Aug 1998

sample visualizaions

Animated GIF:

MRF Northern Hemisphere Potential Temp 18-28 Dec 1998 (~.9 MB)

MRF Northern Hemisphere 100 & 130 K Winds 18-28 Dec 1998 (~.6 MB)

Regional Radar Volume (RRV) Tornadic Supercell 20 Sep 1998 (~13 MB)

LAPS - Denver, CO Surface wind circulation with RH 85% 22 Mar 1999 (~1.6 MB)

MM5 Clouds and Surface Temperature 08 Feb 2001 (~1.6 MB)

MM5 Clouds, Surface Temp and Wind Trajectories 08 Feb 2001 (~1.6 MB)

Eta USA Potential Temperature and Winds 08-11 Feb 2001 (~1.6 MB)

Animated MPEG:

Colorado RAMS severe weather forecast over Colorado 23 July 1997. (~.6 MB)
Omaha Severe weather storm over Omaha, Nebraska 27 July 1996. (~1.4 MB)
Bosnia Weather over Bonsia 27 February 1997. (~1.4 MB)
Bosnia Fly in over Bonsia April 1996. (~1.9 MB)
Eta Equiv Potential Temp 320 K over USA 23 July 1997. (~.3 MB)
Eta Equiv Potential Temp 320 K over USA 23 July 1997 - wide angle view. (~.3 MB)

developers

Phil McDonald
Paula McCaslin NOAA
Ed Szoke CSU/CIRA

Last updated: Wed 20 Feb 2008

description	Developed 1997-2001, Display 3-Dimensional (D3D) was part of the WFO-Advanced system development aimed at providing an advanced operational workstation to operational forecasters. It allows users to view model output and real-time meteorological data in a three-dimensional interactive display. One of the values of 3D for forecasting was that it was a rapid method to assimilate a large amount of model output and analysis data, and understand how the features vary with height. The core visualization software of D3D is Vis5D from the University of Wisconsin. D3D was designed to look and feel like D2D the AWIPS workstation for the NWS Forecast Office.
publications	Published articles about D3D On 14-17 January 2002 There was joint IIPS and AWIPS symposium session at the 2002 Annual AMS Meeting in Orlando, FL to discuss the operational use of D3D in the NWS Forecast Office. Visualization: D3D Overview and Operational Use. Paper J5.1 D3D: Overview, Update, and Future Plans (pdf). Ed Szoke, FSL Paper J5.2 Applying D3D in an Operational Environment (pdf). Gray, Maine WFO Paper J5.3 Numerical Model Visualization Using the FSL D3D: A Paradigm Shift for Operational Forecasters. Dodge City, Kansas WFO Paper J5.4 The Use of D3D When Examining Tropical Cyclones. Tallahassee, Florida WFO Paper J5.5 Operational Applications of Three Dimensional Air Parcel Trajectories Using AWIPS D3D (pdf). Boulder, Colorado WFO Paper J5.6 Technical Considerations for the Installation and Use of D3D in an AWIPS Environment (pdf). Phil McDonald, FSL Education and Training - An AWIPS Enhancer Paper J8.8 Better Understanding of QG Theory Through the Use of D3D. Irv Watson et al. from Tallahassee, Florida WFO D3D papers from the 19th Conference on IIPS at the AMS Annual Meeting, 9-13 February 2003, Long Beach, California. See this AMS website for links to the papers below (for those not directly available below). AMS Posters Paper P1.1 The synoptic environment of the 11 April 2001 Central Plains tornado outbreak viewed in three dimensions, Dan Nietfeld, WFO Omaha Paper P1.10 D3D Update: Is it being used? (pdf). Ed Szoke, H. Grote, P. McCaslin, and P. McDonald, FSL The poster(s) (2 panels, the 2nd with more examples of D3D use) are in a powerpoint form, and can be downloaded from Main panel and Panel 2. and CYS Workshop talk. Paper 12.8 Integrating D3D into the National Weather Service science and training activities, Elizabeth M. Page, NOAA/COMET/NWS, Boulder, CO, and D. Nietfeld, NOAA/NWS Paper 15.2 3-dimensional animated displays for sifting out medium range weather events, Jordan C. Alpert, NOAA/NWS/NCEP.
presentations	Slides from presentations given on D3D.
software	D3D is NO LONGER available. Note: D3D read netCDF data files from the NWS AWIPS database, only.
on-line documentation	D3D User's Guide (pdf) Version 4.1 to be used with D3D Version 1.1, modified 19 Sept 2001. D3D Installation Guide (pdf) D3D Installation README FAQ -- D3D frequently asked questions.
users	A visual image show the of field deployment locations and status of D3D users.
evaluation	Two D3D evaluation exercises were held. RT99 -- Real-time and case data exercise of D3D Oct-Dec 1999 RT98 -- Real-time exercise of D3D Jul-Aug 1998
sample visualizaions	Animated GIF: MRF Northern Hemisphere Potential Temp 18-28 Dec 1998 (~.9 MB) MRF Northern Hemisphere 100 & 130 K Winds 18-28 Dec 1998 (~.6 MB) Regional Radar Volume (RRV) Tornadic Supercell 20 Sep 1998 (~13 MB) LAPS - Denver, CO Surface wind circulation with RH 85% 22 Mar 1999 (~1.6 MB) MM5 Clouds and Surface Temperature 08 Feb 2001 (~1.6 MB) MM5 Clouds, Surface Temp and Wind Trajectories 08 Feb 2001 (~1.6 MB) Eta USA Potential Temperature and Winds 08-11 Feb 2001 (~1.6 MB) Animated MPEG: Colorado RAMS severe weather forecast over Colorado 23 July 1997. (~.6 MB) Omaha Severe weather storm over Omaha, Nebraska 27 July 1996. (~1.4 MB) Bosnia Weather over Bonsia 27 February 1997. (~1.4 MB) Bosnia Fly in over Bonsia April 1996. (~1.9 MB) Eta Equiv Potential Temp 320 K over USA 23 July 1997. (~.3 MB) Eta Equiv Potential Temp 320 K over USA 23 July 1997 - wide angle view. (~.3 MB)
developers	Phil McDonald Paula McCaslin NOAA Ed Szoke CSU/CIRA